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Sky Forms Pro is a set of beautiful form elements with large amount of javascript features: validation, masking, modals, ajax submit, datepickers. It allows you to create forms of any complexity and for any needs: login, registration, contacts, review, order, comment, checkout, etc.
Highly Customized
Contains large amount of customized elements: text inputs, file inputs, selects, multiple selects, textareas, radios, checkboxes, and buttons.
Modern Elements
Includes progressive form elements: input with autocomplete, toggles and ratings.
Client-side Validation
Comes bundled with a useful set of validation methods, very easy to set up and create your own methods.
Fields Masking
Allows user to more easily enter inputs where you would like them to enter the data in a certain format (date, phone, credit card, etc).
Ajax Powered
Allows you to easily and unobtrusively upgrade HTML forms to use AJAX instead of regular sumbit.
File Uploading
File uploads without page reload and you can see the upload progress near the submit button.
Protects your website against robots.
Modal Forms
You don't have enough space for the form? It's not a problem! Use any form in modal window.
jQuery UI Slider
Transforms selected elements into sliders. There are various options such as multiple handles and ranges. The handle can be moved with the mouse or the arrow keys.
jQuery UI Datepicker
Attaches a popup calendar to your input fields or shows an inline calendar for selecting individual dates or date ranges.
9 Color Schemes
Each color scheme has it's own css file, that can be easily modified for creation your own colors.
6 designed states
Each form element has 6 states: normal, hover, focus, error, success and disabled.
Responsive Design
A fully responsive layout that adapts perfectly for all device resolutions like mobiles, tablets and desktops.
Grid system
Fully responsive and utilizes 6 fluid columns and supports offsets.
Animated tooltips
Tooltip appears for input or textarea elements (on focus) and has 6 different positions.
361 Vector Icons
Includes beautiful iconic font Font Awesome, created by Dave Gandy.
26 Useful Examples
You can use these examples as a base for creation your own forms simple and fast.
Retina Support
Optimized to support the high quality and crisp graphics on retina screens.
HTML5 and CSS3
Take full advantage of modern web technologies. Semantic HTML markup and standards compliant CSS.
Tested on Windows (Chrome, Firefox, Opera, IE8, IE9, IE10), Mac (Safari, Chrome, Firefox, Opera), iOS (iPhone, iPad) and Android.
Extensive step-by-step guide to help you with usage and customization.
Fast Support
To get support please send me an email through the contact form on my profile page.
Free Updates
Products get maintained with improvements and bug fixes.
Usage in ThemeForest Themes
If you want to use the Sky Forms Pro in your theme please purchase 1 extended license for each theme you put on the marketplace.
I'm compelled to write up some feedback about Sky Forms Pro which will hopefully serve to inform anyone finding themselves in the situation I was in: formless and filled with trepidation about how to go about getting form-savvy in my projects.
SkyFormsPro is the answer!
Last night I bought the product and this morning I now have a growing library of the most beautiful, completely functional, validating and impressive forms that I can now drop into my RapidWeaver projects, at will.
Buy this, take a wee bit time to learn how to use it and if you are a Rapidweaver, like me, you simply won't believe the world of forms that opens up in front of you – totally customisable using a creation syntax that could hardly be any simpler!!
The amount of time this is going to save me is incalculable.
Voky – this is a masterwork. How you will improve on this is hard to imagine.
Buy it. Learn it. Love it.
10/10 – I can say no more.
I recently bought this product and it is the second product from Voky. I needed a flexible, functional and graphically pleasing form, along with a form that will validate, which is why I chose this product.
I have also needed some support, because I am learning PHP and coding from scratch so lacked some knowledge. Both this product and the post-purchase support have been excellent, with the support being professional and very quick.
I cannot convey enough, how happy I am with both the products I have purchased from Voky and the support I have received.
Thank you for the support and helping me to build a very complex form.
I'd definitely recommend buying this! Voky has been in touch with me for a while now & although I was interested in purchasing his old forms, he advised me me to wait until this one was completed as I was wanting the validation. Rather than trying to get paid for two different products, he was courteous & let me know that he was getting ready to publish the newer item. He's a very nice person, and a genius at design! The forms look fantastic!
A+ product & an A+ seller!
These are amazing – nice job. Appreciate all of your hard work.
Great forms. Already bookmarked, should use very soon…
06.02.15 – Version 2.0.5
- Small bug-fixes for success and error states.
16.12.14 – Version 2.0.4
- Bug-fix for selects in FireFox.
- Small improvements to the php files.
- Updated Font Awesome icons to latest version.
02.04.14 – Version 2.0.3
- Small bug-fix for checkout form.
27.03.14 – Version 2.0.2
- Small bug-fix for select elements (problem with clicking on the arrow icon).
21.03.14 – Version 2.0.1
- Small bug-fix for order form.
05.03.14 – Version 2.0
- Added captcha.
- Added jQueryUI sliders.
- Added php file for review form.
- Improved php file for contacts form.
- Improved css and html.
- Updated Font Awsome.
- Updated jQueryUI.
- Updated jQuery.
04.09.13 – Version 1.1.2
- Bug-fix for grid system (thanks to Yacroon).
26.09.13 – Version 1.1.1
- Added modal password recovery form in login demo.
- Added php script for password recovery form.
24.09.13 – Version 1.1
- Added php script for order form.
- Added ajax file uploading without page reload.
- Added uploading state for submit button.
- Added uploading progress in percents.
22.09.13 – Version 1.0.3
- Small bug-fix for datepickers.
- Small bug-fix in demo-contacts.php script.
04.09.13 – Version 1.0.2
- Bug-fix for bootstrap compatibility.
30.08.13 – Version 1.0.1
- Small bug-fix for selects in IE10.
22.08.13 – Version 1.0
- Initial release.


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State Data Links
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS):State-level data on adult substance use, tobacco use, diet and other preventive health practices and risk behaviors that are linked to chronic diseases, injuries and preventable infectious diseases. County-level synthetic data estimates for selected risk indicators may be accessed by local health departments.
County Health Rankings - Mobilizing Action Toward Community Health: Compares the overall health of a county, with the health of other counties in the state. Ranking also includes factors that contribute to health, such as health behaviors, quality of health care, and social and economic factors. This resource is from the the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
Florida Community Health Assessment Resource Tool Set (CHARTS): Includes such health statistics as births, deaths, disease morbidity, population and behavioral risk factors.
Missouri Information for Community Assessment (MICA): Is an interactive system that allows anyone to create a table of specific data from various data files including births, deaths, hospital discharges and others.
New York State's Community Health Assessment Clearinghouse: Is a "one-stop" resource for community health planners, practitioners, and policy developers. It has resources related to data, "how-to" do assessments, practice examples, training resources and other useful links.
State and Community Health Profiles: This section provides links to several state and county health departments, and several private and nonprofit organizations that have used CDC's Healthy Days Measures as community health status indicators.
State Health Facts Online: A resource developed by Kaiser Family Foundation contains the latest state-level data on demographics, health, and health policy, including health coverage, access, financing, and state legislation.
Utah's Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health (IBIS-PH): IBIS-PH provides information on the health status of Utahns, the state of the health care system, and Utah public health activities. You can access published reports, dynamic indicator profiles, and even query health data directly.
Washington State's Vista: Vista is a menu-driven software package that facilitates analysis of population-based health data. It is both a point-and-click, user-friendly interface and a collection of public health data sets. The name, Vista, originated as an acronym for Vital Statistics - the original data sets included in Vista. Since then, additional data sets (other than Vital Statistics) have been added and the acronym is no longer entirely applicable.
Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBS): State-level and New York City data by gender in six categories of health-risk behaviors. These include: unintentional and intentional injuries; tobacco use alcohol and other drug use; sexual behavior; unhealthy dietary behavior and physical activity.

subset: commoncrawl


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So much for those Apple jitters. The Cupertino, Calif. cash machine blew past Wall Street estimates Tuesday, reporting yet another monster quarter of financial results. The company's stock soared nearly 7% after-hours, adding $1 billion of market capitalization in a matter of minutes. The superlative results show that Apple products continue to fly off shelves as fast as the company can build them.
Apple, the world's most valuable company, reported quarterly profit of $11.6 billion, compared to $6 billion one year ago, on revenue of $39.2 billion, a 59% increase over last year. Earnings came in at $12.30 per share — compared or $6.40 per share, a year ago — handily beating Wall Street expectations of $10.07 per share.
Apple shipped 35.1 million iPhones in the quarter, an 88% increase over last year, strongly outpacing the smartphone industry average of 44%, as measured by research firm IDC. The company sold 11.8 million iPads, a 151% increase over last year, when the company sold 4.7 million. Apple also shipped 4 million Mac computers, a 15% increase over last year.
(More: Steve Jobs — The Inventor of the Future)
"We're thrilled with sales of over 35 million iPhones and almost 12 million iPads in the March quarter," Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, said in a statement. "The new iPad is off to a great start, and across the year you're going to see a lot more of the kind of innovation that only Apple can deliver."
On a conference call with analysts, Apple CFO Peter Oppenheimer said that iPhone sales in China, the world's largest country, grew five times compared to last year. The company had sales of $7.9 billion in greater China over the last three months, a three-fold increase compared to last year. Apple said that 55% of total sales came from foreign countries.
Apple said is it now sitting on $110 billion in cash. Asked about the potential for iPad sales going forward, Apple CEO Tim Cook said the tablet market is still in the nascent stages. "I think the limit here is nowhere in sight," Cook said. "It's a profound product, the breadth is incredible and the appeal is universal."
Cook said the the iPad remains "supply constrained" on a global basis, meaning the company still cannot produce the devices to meet consumer demand for it.
If there was one bit of apparent pessimism to the results, it came in the company's forecast for the next quarter. Apple said it expects sales of $34 billion and earnings per share of about $8.68, compared to analyst expectations of $37.4 billion and $9.92 per share. Oppenheimer attributed the softer forecast to the company's "extremely successful" roll-outs of the iPhone 4S and new iPad. "We were able to fulfill demand in the March quarter rather than the June quarter," he said.
However, it's important to remember that Apple habitually low-balls earnings estimates, so investors shouldn't be surprised if the company outpaces expectations next quarter.


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Feedback archive → Feedback 2011
Eclipses and Easter, big bang questions
This feedback is combined from three inquirers from the USA and one from Australia asking astronomical questions, with responses from Dr Jonathan Sarfati. Norm P., asked a question about a lunar eclipse occurring on a full moon just before Christmas 2010, but it is relevant for the forthcoming Easter, as will be shown. Gary B. asked about WMAP data and the "flatness" of the universe, which provides a chance to explain some of the problems. Lester V. asked how rotating objects could fit with the big bang, which allowed a chance to explain an intriguing universe model that would rule out the big bang, as well as dispel a common urban myth about 'Down Under' water down plugholes. Finally, Corinne S. asked about our Distant Starlight explanation and white holes.
Norm P.
Could someone explain how a lunar eclipse can or is suppose to happen on [21 December 2010]. I am a Christian and have understood that it is impossible for an eclipse to happen when there is a full moon. I have even taught this in an apologetics class. I'm sure that I'm just missing a piece of the puzzle. Your response will be greatly appreciated.
The following response was sent (in time!):
Dear Mr P.
There is no problem here. What you were presumably told is that no solar eclipse is possible with a full moon. Early Christian accounts of Christ's crucifixion confirm the preternatural darkness at the time, and these apologists rightly rejected the excuse that a solar eclipse caused the darkness, because this is impossible during a full moon. A solar eclipse requires the moon in front of the earth, but this is the position diametrically opposed to a full moon.
But a lunar eclipse is a much less spectacular phenomenon. One lunar eclipse I witnessed (in Western Australia) didn't even look like the moon disappeared, but appeared much redder and fainter. The redness is from the same cause as sunsets and sunrise: the atmosphere scatters out the shorter wavelengths of light.1 And a lunar eclipse is possible only during a full moon, since both of these require the moon behind the earth.
One of our articles on the topic is Darkness at the crucifixion: metaphor or real history? An outside site I found on the topic is Darkness at Full Moon? The design of the moon for a total solar eclipse is discussed at The moon: the light that rules the night: i.e. the moon is both 400 times smaller and 400 times closer than the sun. Another relevant article on the general approach is Presuppositionalism vs evidentialism, and is the human genome simple? i.e. avoiding the 'evidentialist roller coaster'.
Hope this is helpful
Jonathan Sarfati
Gary B., USA, asked about WMAP data and the "flatness" of the universe:
I read that in the WMAP data they concluded that the universe was flat, what does that mean & how does that information help or hinder the creation model of our universe.
Dear Mr B.
To explain what a 'flat' universe is, the article No dark matter found in the Milky Way Galaxy begins:
Probably the major cosmological debate among 'big bang' cosmologists is whether the universe will expand forever ('open') or will eventually collapse ('closed'). This depends on the mass density of the universe, represented by the symbol Ω [capital omega]. If Ω < 1, then the universe is open; if Ω > 1, the universe is closed. The fate of the universe is directly related to whether the universe's geometry is hyperbolic (open) or elliptical (closed), i.e. the multi-dimensional equivalent of a hyperboloid ('saddle') or ellipsoid or sphere. The currently fashionable 'inflationary' models predict that the universe's density is just below the threshold of collapse, i.e. Ω = 1 — a geometrically 'flat' universe.
The 'flatness' problem is one of many in the big bang supposed to be solved by the 'inflation' idea, as explained in Planck sees the Big Bang or not? Even some secular scientists have stridently attacked the big bang for needing to be propped up by fudge factors including this faster-than-light inflation of space-time as well as dark matter and dark energy. See Secular scientists blast the big bang: What now for naïve apologetics?
As for WMAP itself, an expert radiologist attacked the publications for concluding far more than any radiologist would from the weak evidence adduced from the data—see WMAP proof of big bang fails normal radiological standards.
A flat universe by definition rules out any oscillating universe model, which was
one excuse for evolutionists like Sagan and Asimov for denying a beginning. For
the implications for a Creator, see
If God created the universe, then who created God?
Hope this helps
Jonathan Sarfati
Lester V, USA:
The laws of motion (a body in motion tends to stay in motion, and in the same direction, unless acted upon by an external force) seem to contradict the Big Bang theory of stellar/planetary origin. Specifically, the matter that spread out from the Big Bang explosion would have traveled out in straight lines from the point of explosion, like the spokes of a wheel. What is thought to have caused them to begin to spin in ever-tightening knots, to give rise to the stars? There would have been no sideways force to divert the particles from their paths, and there would have been no force to change the linear momentum of the Big Bang into circular momentum to produce stars or planets, or is there something I'm missing?
Dear Mr V.
I don't deign to defend big bang cosmology, but it would not be too difficult
to start circular motion. If a cloud started collapsing, only if the motion were
exactly straight inwards towards the centre of gravity (radial motion),
would spiralling be avoided. But even a small random fluctuation in the motion would
cause the motion to deviate from this straight-in path (in technical terms, it would
impart a tangential component to the motion, i.e. perpendicular to the
radial motion2 ). This would
bias the collapsing cloud into spiraling one way or the other.
That is why even on a small scale, water spins either one way or the other down
a plug hole (NB, it is an urban myth that water down a plug hole spins in the opposite
way in the southern hemisphere due to the Coriolis Effect; it is
true of cyclones/hurricanes though. See for example the explanation from an
Urban Legends site and another from
Bad Meteorology).
However, you are on the right track about rotation. One thing that really is incompatible
with the big bang is a rotation of the universe as a whole. There is some
evidence for this, as discussed briefly in my book Refuting Compromise,
ch. 5; as well as in
New evidence for a rotating cosmos and
More on the Rotating Cosmos !
Also, such a collapsing cloud origin for
stellar systems (the evolutionary Nebular Hypothesis) would predict
that planets would orbit in the same direction as their star's rotation and
would rotate in the same direction. But in our
solar system, Venus has a retrograde
rotation and there are
comets with retrograde orbits. Other stellar systems have planets
with retrograde orbits.3
I hope this helps.
Jonathan Sarfati
Corinne S., Australia:
I just read Chapter 5 of the Creation Answers Book. Although it has helped me with some questions I've had for a long time, I don't quite understand some of the things it's talking about. This subject is very important to me right now because I got into a silly argument with a friend about (among other things) the plausibility of cdk, and now that I realise I was wrong, I would like to give him an educated answer regarding current creationist beliefs.My questions are: What exactly does it mean by event horizon and why does it have to be there in the first place, since there is already higher gravity in the smaller universe? When it says that matter passed out of the event horizon, does it mean from one side to the other or appeared from nowhere? Why did the event horizon get smaller if the universe was getting bigger? In other words, can you give me an explanation of the second half of p95 in layman's terms?
(On a side note, on page 96 it also says that on earth the light from the stars on the other side of the event horizon would have appeared faster than c, but I thought c was constant to everyone. Wouldn't it be, then, that the light sources would seem closer, even touching the event horizon, since time = distance/speed, and since time = 0 or approaching 0 then distance = 0 or approaching 0. Correct me if I'm wrong, though, I only studied special relativity not GR and it was more than 2 years ago so it's not exactly fresh in my brain.)
I realise this is not an official CMI publication so I understand if you do not have the authority to answer these questions.
As always, thank you for your tireless work in bringing the truth to so many people.
Regards, Corinne
Dear Corinne
This is definitely an official CMI Q&A page, and the Creation Answers Book is definitely an official CMI publication—probably our core book.
An event horizon has a fixed technical meaning in general relativity: it is the region around any mass where the escape velocity = c. Black holes are a prediction of general relativity. But because its equations are reversible, white holes—black holes running in reverse—are a mathematical possibility as well, although unlikely to occur by merely natural means. As we said in Space-time Warps and Black Holes:
All the matter inside a black hole is compressed into a singularity of infinite density. So instead, its 'size' is defined by its event horizon, a boundary surrounding the singularity such that nothing, not even light, can escape from within the boundary.1 Its radius is called the Schwarzschild radius, after the German astronomer Karl Schwarzschild (1873–1916), and is given by the formula RS = 2GM/c2, where c is the speed of light in a vacuum. If the sun were to collapse into a black hole, its Schwarzschild radius would be only 3 km (2 miles).
So when matter passes out, as is does with a white hole by definition, the mass decreases, so the Schwarzschild radius decreases in proportion, i.e. the event horizon shrinks.
Our most recent book on the distant starlight problem is Starlight, Time and the New Physics. The author, Dr John Hartnett, is a tenured and award-winning professor of physics at the Uni of Western Australia. When he gives his talks on the topic, he often shows a slide, "Warning: Physics Inside!" This suggests that it's hard to discuss such issues in a layman-friendly way.
As a result, in Q&A times after my talks I concentrate on showing that big bangers have their own enigma with the travel time of light, called the horizon problem. So they should beware of pointing the finger at creationists because of light travel time, because they will have three of their own pointing back at themselves for the same reason! —see Light-travel time: a problem for the big bang.
Jonathan Sarfati
- Light scattering intensity is proportional to the fourth power of the frequency, and blue light has almost twice the frequency of red. Return to text.
- Similarly, exactly circular orbits are possible only with an exactly tangential motion at the right speed. Deviations from this result in elliptical orbits as we observe. Return to text.
- For up-to-date information, see also Sarfati, J., Solar system origin: Nebular hypothesis, Creation 32(3):34–35, 2010; Spencer, W., Planets around other stars, Creation 33(1):45–47, 2011. Return to text.


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Eruptions Holiday Break
Well, we've reached the holidays again, so Eruptions will be heading off on its annual Holiday break. After this rather busy semester – academically, professionally and volcanically – I need a little time off to recoup for 2011. I'll post the answers to the Adam Kent Q&A later today but unless something big (such, as, I don't know Etna and Stromboli decides to start making more noise) happens over the next week (and I can stand blogging on a dial-up connection), you all can feel free to post here with whatever news and discussions you like. I will be back to regular blogging around December 30. (However, I will have decent mobile coverage, so you might see me show up on Twitter occasionally from my not-so-smart phone – @eruptionsblog).
Remember, nominate some volcanoes for the 2010 Pliny for volcanic event of the year – and if you have any personal recollection of the volcanic events that made your 2010, feel free to leave them over on the nomination post or send me an email (eruptionsblog at gmail dot com). Right after the New Year, I'll be posting the 2010 Volcanic Year in Review so we can look back at all the action of the year.
Until then, have safe and happy holidays and I'll be back in a week.


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Before we begin, a basic science lesson.
Impulse (n):
"In classical mechanics, impulse… is defined as… the average force multiplied by the time it is exerted… Impulse is also defined as the change in the linear momentum of a body…
A resultant force causes… a change in the… body for as long as it acts… A resultant force applied over a longer time therefore produces a bigger change in momentum than the same force applied briefly… Conversely, a small force applied for a long time can produce the same change in momentum—the same impulse—as a large force applied briefly…" (from the Wikipedia entry for 'impulse')
Training load is, simply put, an impulse: how much force–or intensity of activity–we apply to our lives multiplied by time. It is the energy we put into an activity and ourselves to generate momentum. It is fitness, and, in its basic essence, it is life.
Things get tricky when you consider that our brains and bodies have difficulty perceiving small forces. The frog hops out of boiling water, yet will sit there and allow itself to be cooked when heated gradually.
As discussed in Part One and Part Two of the Overtraining Series, our capacity to withstand impulse without breaking down (or deformation, in the physics world) is finite. But how do we measure impulse, that training stress, especially when it is so low-intensity but for prolonged periods? How does our brain register physiological stress when it is fun, exhilarating, and nurturing? When a six-hour run fails to leave us 'sore'?
"If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it still make a sound?"
What makes trail ultrarunning so unique, rewarding, and increasingly popular are the exact things that make us so gravely prone to over-dosage: low-intensity running, soft/variable surfaces, and incredible scenery. They are all capable of masking the true physiological strain placed on our bodies.
Moreover, failure to take into account contributions of other 'impulse' forces on our lives only compounds the problem, especially when the 'strain' of trail ultrarunning is perceived by many as reward for our hard work in other areas of life. Or when it is symbolic of our approach to life: taking on enormous personal challenges and conquering them.
In this third installment in the Overtraining Series, we discuss:
- Special challenges facing trail ultrarunners in preventing and treating overtraining;
- Two prominent trail ultrarunners who experienced overtraining symptoms, and
- Implications for overtraining on the future of the sport of trail ultramarathons.
Unique Challenges of Trail Ultrarunning
In my discussions on overtraining in Part Two with elite runners and physiologists Brett Ely and Kimber Mattox, the differences between conventional road and track running versus trail ultrarunning quickly became evident. While athletes in both sports are equally driven and prone to training too much, the challenges facing trail ultrarunners in monitoring training and detecting overload are much greater.
Training Stress
Road and Track: It can be argued that the body system hardest stressed is musculoskeletal. You run hard on roads and tracks, and you thrash your legs. To use a car analogy, the muscles, tendons, and joints are the tires, shocks, and struts of the car. On the roads and tracks, you drive too hard, you blow the tires and shocks, usually long before you achieve 'speeds' necessary to damage the engine (metabolic), transmission (endocrine), or electrical (nervous) systems.
Trail: The stress of running ultra distances on trails is insidious. Commonly, muscle soreness is light and fleeting if not often absent. This is due to myriad factors including softer and more variable surfaces which reduces acute and repetitive stresses and lower-intensity running which reduces tissue stresses at the cellular level.
Thus, even after running for many hours, one might possibly awake the next day feeling very little 'soreness' in the muscles or joints. But that doesn't mean the body wasn't stressed in significant ways:
Neurological: Regardless of intensity, the nervous system is hard at work during long, ultra-distance runs with prolonged, hours (if not days)-long firing of the sympathetic nervous system which drives all bodily systems during exercise. Moreover, specific motor nerves to working muscles are firing every millisecond, for hours. Neurological fatigue–regardless of perception–is significant and a real stressor to the nervous system.
Endocrine: This system secretes important hormones for use during and after exercise to mobilize energy stores and to aid in recovery. Prolonged exercise–however low its intensity–elevates key hormones, namely cortisol, to harmful levels. Cortisol, a hormone released under all times of stress, even psychological, when consistently lingering in the body will cause physiological breakdown across multiple systems: weakening tissues, curbing fat burning, and otherwise slowing recovery.
These two systems are stressed regardless of intensity, but our ability to perceive neurological or metabolic fatigue is poor. Unknowingly over-stressing these systems with trail ultrarunning is all too easy.
Road and Track: Competitions are highly standardized: specific distances (1500 meters, 5k, marathon) on (mostly) flat, paved surfaces. Progress–or struggle–is easily measured based on performance. The same goes for workouts which occur mostly on tracks, roads, and standardized courses. One's ability to perceive training response is straightforward: if you feel good, you run fast. If you don't feel good, either you run slow or you feel poorly while running the same speed.
Trail: Training and racing trail ultramarathons is more complicated. Each race–even if listed as a standard distance–is different, either by true distance (as many of them are several kilometers or more off their listed distance), terrain, or weather conditions. Thus, it's nearly impossible compare a time or performance between one race and the other. To complicate things further, a single race may change from year to year, based only on trail and weather conditions, making even year-to-year comparisons difficult.
Road and Track: Coaches are common from top to bottom, from grade school to post-collegiate. The majority of conventional runners are coached. While there are some disadvantages to coaching, the benefits vastly outweigh them:
- Experience
- Objectivity
- Rationality
- Intimate knowledge of you as an athlete
- Established boundaries
- Disciplined planning
Trail: Few trail ultrarunners are coached. This could be because the ultramarathon is not a distance run by grade school or university students where the vast majority of coaches are employed. That said, there is relatively little experience of coaches coaching ultrarunners and ultrarunners having a coach. Therefore, they lose out on experience-driven guidance and objectivity in their training. That coupled with less rote knowledge about ultradistance training theory leaves most runners to go it alone and improvise training, with mixed results.
While ultramarathon coaches are rare, there are some notable examples of great resources. iRunFar's own columnist, Ian Torrence, specializes in ultramarathon coaching for the McMillan Group. Torrence is one of the most respected ultrarunners in the modern history of the sport and that work ethic, commitment, and attention to detail carries over into his coaching work. And his experience provides credible guidance to many runners. When addressing training stress balance, Torrence notes:
"I like to focus more on these indicators:
- Significant and consecutive decrease in training and racing performance.
- What I can gather through one-on-one personal evaluations through email and phone conversations. You can get a great sense of where a person's at by listening to their voice and story.
- I'll watch and monitor for repeated injury, changes in appetite, excessive fatigue, and restless/loss of sleep.
- I have many of my athletes color-code their workouts: Green, Yellow, Red. Green = great run/workout. Yellow = just getting it done, nothing to write home about. Red = fail, shut the run/workout down early, or injury. I can follow the color trend to determine where we went wrong or to stop a hole from being dug… If I start seeing too much of that Yellow and/or Red, then it's time to reevaluate and adjust."
Using multiple objective and subjective metrics, Torrence and the other McMillan coaches can be on the lookout for overtraining trends and prevent harmful progressions. Ultimately the value of a coach is just that: an objective, experienced, third-party guide between your training and racing ambitions and your athletic capabilities.
Training Ground
Road and Track: Roadies run… on roads. Or, if they're feeling saucy, on flat, smooth trails. Hilly, technical trails that comprise the bread and butter of trail ultrarunners' outings are run sparingly if at all. Such road and track running is predictable, monotonous, and sometimes boring. The track workout is even more extreme. While it's fun to run fast, I've never–in my 20 years of road-and-track running and coaching–heard a runner remark how much fun and enjoyment they got from running a long, hard track workout. They're hard and often miserable, and the misery is worth the ultimate reward.
Trail: The most popular statement I hear from ultrarunners about trail ultrarunning is, "The trails are so beautiful and fun. It's like you're not even working," Alternatively, "They're so much easier than a long road run!"
These statements are likely true and they're a major draw to the sport. Training is sightseeing, an exercise of exploration and solitude. Therefore, lost in the joy of the pursuit of nature is the normal markers of physiological stress: tissue stress and fatigue.
Indeed, there is less muscle and joint stress with trail ultrarunning, and, to a point, less metabolic stress due to the lower intensity of the effort. But it is not the intensity (or 'force') that matters to our physiology, it is impulse: force times duration. No one will argue that a 10-mile road run on concrete is more stressful on the legs than 10 miles on buttery singletrack. But what if that trail 10-miler is at 9,000 feet elevation with 2,000 feet of vertical gain and loss, and it takes twice as long?
Perceiving total body impulse in the course of trail running training, therefore, is inherently more difficult when the most obvious training stress markers–namely muscle soreness–are absent or more subtle. Couple that with the inherent joy, excitement, gratitude, and sense of adventure that comes from trail ultrarunning and you have a recipe for overdose.
Stories of Overtraining
Admitting that one is overtrained is difficult. It's against everything we believe in:
- We believe that we control whether or not we run well based on how hard we try.
- We believe that by running more and trying harder, we will run faster.
- We believe that when we do well, it is for reasons we control; and when we do not run well, we tend to attribute failure to factors outside our control.
Therefore, to admit that one is overtrained is to admit that:
- We have a finite and limited capacity to handle the demands of the lives of our choosing; and
- We have voluntarily caused our own poor performance and poor health that arose from our decisions.
These are tough pills to swallow. As such, very few runners will ever admit, at least publicly, that they have overtrained. Yet overtraining happens, and it happens often. Why? Because the same factors that make a successful ultramarathon runner and a successful person–hard-working, driven, tenacious, refusing to fail, desire to push the limits–are the factors that create conditions that cause overtraining.
We are privileged to hear of two high-profile accounts of elite ultramarathon runners who have personally experienced the effects of overtraining.
Neal Gorman is a familiar name to many runners in ultrarunning. An East Coast ultra veteran of numerous hundred milers, Gorman set the standard at the Grand Slam of Ultrarunning, 74:54:14, in 2010 (which was the Grand Slam record until Ian Sharman's summer 2013 record performance). He followed that up with podium finishes in four hundred milers in 2011. Then in 2012, he notched a top-10 finish at Western States, a second place at Grindstone, and a victory at Pinhoti 100.
Gorman had big plans for 2013, including runs at Western States and Hardrock. However, onset of progressive fatigue following Pinhoti in the fall of 2012 hampered his preparations. But it would get worse before it got better. A mysterious virus struck in the spring, worsening his condition, forcing him to drop all racing plans, and resulting in months off running.
Neal's background is common in the sport today. He began as an outsider, a non-runner, drawn to racing trail ultramarathons after first engaging in triathlon competitions with his brother. He found the extreme endurance challenge of the triathlon, and later ultra racing, "intriguing", and was drawn to his first 50-mile race in 2007. "Within weeks", he said, he ran his first hundred miler, and off he went. Quickly building fitness, experience, and a desire for the ultra distance, his Ultrasignup ledger shows at least a half-dozen ultra races per year from 2009 through 2012. All but a handful of these were top-10 or podium placings. After three hundred-mile races in 2009, the Grand Slam caught his eye. Having set the record in 2010, his appetite for hundreds was not quite satiated. He ran another four hundreds in 2011, and another trio in 2012 before problems arose.
After numerous tests, Gorman was diagnosed with Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a common, normally asymptomatic infection that affects a large majority of people (50 to 80% of the population by age 40). However, for those with compromised immune systems–including those who are overtrained–it can cause severe health problems. This was the case for Gorman, who was trying to balance a demanding professional life with the challenges of raising a newborn son, Trail. Gorman's struggles with CMV and its influences on his running and life is well-documented in his blog.
Our next runner needs little introduction. Geoff Roes, UltraRunning's Ultra Runner of the Year in 2009 and 2010, has an even more impressive trail racing resume, perhaps one of the strongest in the history of the sport. Roes' background is more conventional. A runner since junior high, he competed in cross country and track through high school, and a year at Syracuse University before setting it aside for other interests. For the next decade, Roes ran sparingly until a move to Alaska in 2005 stoked his desire to explore the forests, peaks, and glaciers of Juneau and restarted his running career. Then, Roes said, he "just started running a lot", notching his first ultra finish in February of 2006, a win at the Little Su 50k in Big Lake, Alaska. Roes kept it local, running–and winning–his first hundred-miler at Susitna in 2007. In 2008, he went national and his streak began: running hundreds, winning, and setting course records. Starting at Susitna, he ran that hundred streak to six by 2009, heading into Western States in 2010. His run there against Anton Krupicka and Kilian Jornet was legendary and it was his seventh hundred win and a then-course record at the 37th running of the iconic event.
Western States has a reputation of propelling its victors to new heights and professional status. Roes was no different; the rewards of his epic performance allowed him to transition to running full time. With a move from sea-level Juneau to high-country Colorado in the fall of 2010, Roes seemed poised to crest new heights. But in 2011, Roes began to note a drop off in performance. Pushing the envelope in workouts and races became more difficult and recovery took longer. He performed well at times, including wins (his eighth hundred win-plus-course record) at DTRE 100 in April and at the inaugural UROC 100k in September, it also featured notable sub-par performances and his DNF at Western States in June. Perhaps attributing it to increased workload, Roes was undeterred and chose to enter the 2012 Iditarod Trail Invitational, an unfathomable 350-mile race across southwest Alaska in the depths of winter. For eight days he trudged through deep snow, in frigid conditions, and with a 35-pound sled. He won.
But the price for that win and his eight other hundreds had yet to be perceived. A DNF at Transvulcania in May of 2012 signaled to Roes that he needed time off, which he took. But his health only worsened. A full description of his struggles that summer and beyond was self-reported by Roes in his iRunFar column this past April.
I was struck by the collective experiences of two of the strongest, most experienced runners in the sport. Compelled to learn more about what factors may have played a role, I interviewed the two of them, digging deep into life before and after the development of their overtraining illness.
Q & A with Roes and Gorman
iRunFar: At what point did you begin to notice signs and symptoms of overtraining/overreaching, and what was going on?
Gorman: I noticed definite signs in February (2013) where I knew something was wrong. I felt unmotivated and tired in the mornings, which was when I usually ran. My runs got pushed back to the afternoon or evening when I thought I might feel better. Yet I never felt better when actually running. During slow, short recovery runs I had to work hard effort-wise, which is a bad sign for running in February when the body should be recharged for a new year of training.
Roes: The first signs I noticed were of gradual, decreased performance capability. Everything else felt fine, but beginning sometime around the beginning of 2011, I started to notice that I couldn't race as effectively as previously and recovery from races or hard training periods seem to take longer than usual. I also got sick a lot around this time. Not serious illness, but nagging sore throat/head cold-type stuff.
iRunFar: What training and racing factors played a role in its development?
Gorman: In 2012, I raced a fair bit but also ran hard a lot on runs in general. I took a month off from running at the end of 2012 but even during that period, I didn't rest like I should have. Work and family (a new baby and a new house) and several new-home projects kept my interests more piqued than getting extra hours of sleep that my body needed at the time. This time period set me up very poorly for when I began running again after the new year, when the pace with work, family, etc. picked up even more and I had yet to make accommodations for rest.
Roes: Not sure. I didn't race any more than usual leading up to this. The major change in my training was a move to high altitude (8,500 feet) in August of 2010.
iRunFar: What other triggers existed that might've played a role? For example: sleep disturbances, altitude exposure, life stresses (work, family, relationships), repetitive competitions, significant illness, heat injury episodes, or severe 'bonks'.
Gorman: Definitely [sleep]. My sleep was very poor in the immediate period before CMV symptoms officially took hold. My wife and I were 'sleep training' our newborn son which meant we were up at random hours for random periods of time in the middle of each night. Plus I was going to bed late, getting up early, and we had just fired up an altitude tent. I was registered for a few races at altitude in the summer and wanted to test out sleeping in the tent in preparation. [My life stresses included a] newborn son, work, taking on too many passions/hobby projects that I enjoy outside of work, running, etc. I enjoy furniture making and woodworking, and I was actively working on various projects during this period.
Roes: Altitude and the life change of moving from Alaska to Colorado. All other factors seemed to be steady.
iRunFar: Describe a typical week–training volume and non-running life demands–preceding your overtraining symptoms.
Gorman: I work a full-time job and generally over 40 hours per week. I own a commercial insurance brokerage while trying to train like a professional athlete. Meaning, I run a boat load on top of a full-time work and family schedule. Big weeks during a peak training phase means I run anywhere from 80 to 100-plus miles. My wife works full time as well and we have a nanny who is excellent and watches our son at home during the day, during the week. Fortunately, my wife has a very good job in marketing and works from home. She runs a lot as well, plus has other interests as do I, and the nanny is very accommodating for us juggling our daily routines.
Running is all consuming in my mind. I think about it all of the time. If I add up all the hours in a week that I devote actual time to running, or doing something running related, or talking about running, or thinking about running, it is easily 40 hours.
Roes: At that time, I was working a job as a cook at a health-food store, and I averaged about 30 hours per week, on my feet the entire time. Training was entirely running. I did a lot of cross training up until late 2008 or early 2009, but sometime around the beginning of 2009 was when I began to pretty much get all of my training in the form of running. Through most of this time, I was probably averaging 20 hours of running per week. Lots of vertical, probably 25,000 to 30,000 feet per week on average; probably 85 miles per week average, but never more than about 110. [My non-running, social, family demands included] some short walks, bike rides, and things like that with family, but probably less than five hours per week on average. [Socially,] certainly some time at home with my then-girlfriend's (now wife's) daughter, but she was not working or in school then so this was very little. Maybe five hours per week on average.
When I began running full time (August of 2010), the main change was that we moved from Alaska to Colorado for my wife to go to school. I took the move as a natural time to quit having any kind of day job and just run full time. The main changes as a result of this were that I ran much less vertical (probably 10,000 to 15,000 feet per week) and thus higher mileage (probably averaged 100 with some weeks up near 130). Total hours of running stayed about the same. The other change was a lot more family responsibility. With my wife in school full time, I spent a lot more time at home with her daughter (probably about 15 hours per week). But without working a 'day' job, I definitely noticed a lot more free time after our move to Colorado.
iRunFar: What concurrent health issues were tested for and either ruled in or out?
Gorman: When I received treatment for my issues from a sports-medicine physician, he asked numerous questions, performed a physical, and checked my blood looking for all sorts of issues from low iron, to mono, to viruses, etc. It was a science experiment of determining what was wrong with me by a process of eliminating what wasn't wrong with me.
Roes: It was all so subtle at first that I didn't test for anything until January of 2012. At this time I discovered low blood iron and low vitamin D. I supplemented both of these and retested in April of that year. The levels were up and I figured with a more mellow season that year I would feel great by the end of summer.
iRunFar: At what point did you finally surrender and accept that you could no longer train and race as desired?
Gorman: When my doctor diagnosed me with CMV in the spring, he told me that I should surrender any intention of training for and racing Western States and Hardrock over the summer [of 2013]. That complete rest was the only remedy and pathway back to health for an otherwise healthy adult.
Roes: After Transvulcania in May of 2012, I accepted that I needed a long break from racing. I decided not to race Hardrock that summer and decided that I would not race at all until September at the earliest. I felt okay all summer but then in early August I began to get much more acute symptoms: dizziness, extreme fatigue, excessive urination, numbness, headaches, severe light sensitivities, neck pain, and a month or so later, GI symptoms. Within two weeks of the onset of these symptoms, running was pretty much not an option.
iRunFar: What has been your treatment strategy to reverse your symptoms and return to normal both in life and in training?
Gorman: I stopped running completely and doing much of anything physical for roughly seven weeks. For a few months after that, I got back into running very slowly. During this period, I also slept more than I might have usually and focused on slowing down a bit in life in general and not taking on so much. Since getting back to running over the summer, I've maintained a more healthy life balance by sleeping more and not piling too much on an already full plate of family, work, and running.
Roes: Mostly just rest. I have tested for nearly every condition, illness, and imbalance possible and nothing has come back all that unusual. I have tried dozens of different supplements and treatment approaches recommended by various doctors that I've seen. Acupuncture, massage, cranial sacral therapy, and antibiotic treatment to name a few. Nothing has really seemed to help all that much other than time.
iRunFar: At this point, where do you think you're at in your progression, with 0% being no improvement and 100% being back to normal, full activity level?
Gorman: 100% back to normal.
Roes: It's hard to say. I have stretches where I feel like I'm 75 or 80%, but then I seem to relapse into stretches where I'm maybe only halfway there. Overall the trend has been two steps forward and one step back. At this point, I can run, and sometimes it even seems like I feel better when I run more, but I still have day-to-day symptoms (headache, fatigue, light sensitivity) even if I don't run for days. The symptoms are much more subtle than they were a year ago but I still don't ever have a day in which I feel totally normal.
iRunFar: Overtraining typically develops only with continued training despite the early warning signs (fatigue, decreased recovery, a decline in health). What motivational factors might've played a role in your desire to push through those initial symptoms, including:
- Social: desire to spend time running with others, participating in events, beauty of outdoors/environment?
- Physical: need to consistently exercise, maintain and improve fitness, or simply feel exercise-associated stress relief?
- Competitive: drive to prove yourself against others or an event?
- Financial: need/desire to earn income or satisfy sponsorship obligation (real or perceived)?
- Personal: deep-seeted drive to do more, go farther, or otherwise prove to yourself (or someone else)?
Gorman: Outside of financial, all of the above factors in a way contributed in a way to my overreaching. Plus, I'm a compulsive, workaholic type of person. I enjoy working towards an end project or goal with visible results. To work, to support oneself or family, or to pursue personal interests is a privilege and it gives me satisfaction.
Roes: Probably a little bit of all of these. The number-one factor was that I just really like being out in the mountains, and running is my favorite way to be in the mountains. I also really like racing, and was so much in the habit of racing every four to six weeks that I just wanted to keep doing this even though I wasn't feeling very well. August of 2010 was also the point that I quit my day job and began to make a living as a runner. This certainly contributed to the financial aspect of the equation. I really enjoy making a living as a runner so when I started to feel not so good, I had a bit more desire to push through and try to continue to race, even if I wasn't feeling very good.
iRunFar: How has life been post-overtraining? And how have you adjusted those demands to recover and prevent overtraining going forward?
Gorman: Life now–post CMV–is back to happy-go-lucky normal. I have my health and endurance, I still love to run and I run care and anxiety-free, which is the best way to run. I do focus on getting proper sleep when my workload plate is full, which is pretty much all of the time. If I skimp a few hours on sleep a few nights in a row, I purposefully try to make it up at some point over the following few days. I'm not interested in digging myself into another hole with my immune system due to lack of rest.
Roes: Now things are a lot different for me. I ran a fair amount this past summer in Alaska, but right now most of my activity is in the form of hiking, biking, and other much lighter activity. In the past six months, I've probably averaged, at the most, 20 miles of running per week and this has been pretty sporadic. A lot of weeks with no running and a few over the summer where I did about 80 miles. Family responsibilities are about that same as they have been for three years now. Lots of time at home with step-daughter, but with her in school for full days now this has become less this year. I have also begun to work on a couple non-running related jobs/projects which are probably taking up on average 15 to 20 hours per week of my time right now.
iRunFar: Is there anything you'd like to add that I didn't ask?
Gorman: Seeking treatment from an experienced, qualified sports-medicine physician and being diagnosed was a blessing for me. It hurt being told not to race this past summer and forced to rest but in exchange I was given a new lease on health and a guarantee that running will continue to be a big part of my life going forward. Had I continued to suffer through in my training and racing, not only would I have posted poor results and suffered through that emotionally, but also I could have done irreparable damage to my body and mind, in the process possibly stripping running as an outlet and lifestyle from my future.
Roes: I think it's important to note that I'm still very much uncertain that this has all in fact been caused by overtraining. It is the most likely cause, but only because I have eliminated so many other possibilities. At least two or three of the doctors I have seen have said they do not think this was caused by overtraining, but by some infection (parasite, bacteria, virus, etc.) that threw my body out of whack and is taking a really long time to recover from. Personally I do think that the physical stress my body was under for so many years has played a major part in all of this and it doesn't really matter whether it was the root cause or not. I just wanted to mention this, though, because I think it's another thing to keep in mind when talking about overtraining: there really is no definitive diagnosis for it which makes it even harder to understand and to treat.
Commentary and Inferences on Overtraining
I've been a runner for nearly 20 years, a professionally-trained coach for 11, and a medical professional for five. I have meticulously studied concepts in distance training; I have both professional and personal experience with overreaching and overtraining; and recently I have become passionate about speaking with veterans of the ultrarunning sport to investigate what makes for successful, healthy, and sustainable ultrarunning. And what makes for unsustainable, harmful long-term results.
Based on those experiences and what Roes and Gorman have outlined above, my opinions and recommendations are as follows:
- If injury and illness are the burglars, overtraining unlocks and opens the front door. Both Roes and Gorman express doubts about what truly caused their illnesses; indeed, the lack of a true diagnosis and insidiousness of their symptoms makes a clear-cut determination difficult. But ultimately, they both admit that prolonged overtraining and failure to balance stress and rest left their bodies extremely vulnerable and open to exploitation by myriad attackers. Recognize how excessive stress compromises your body and take ownership over what you can control in that stress load.
- Our physical capacity is finite. We have a finite capacity to train and race hard in our lives; our bodies have only so many intense, fatigued miles in our legs. Whether we spread those out over a lifetime or blow through them in a course of a few short years is a decision each individual must make. One need only look at the countless examples of 'flashes in the pan', runners who burst onto the scene, perform incredibly, and then disappear as proof of this reality*.
- Life stress is body stress. Failure to recognize non-running stresses in our lives–including work, home, and familial/relationships–will result in decreased capacity to train, diminished recovery, and–when unremitting–overreaching and overtraining results.
- High-volume, year-round training, however low its intensity, is unsustainable. Training for one to three (or more) hours a day is possible and, arguably, ideal for fitness gains, but can only be tolerated for brief periods. Engaging in such high-volume aerobic activity day after day, unremitting for months and years (as Roes and Gorman did, in varying forms), is unsustainable and invariably leads to breakdown.
- Regular, prolonged rest is required. Training hard–daily bouts of aerobic exercise–year-round without significant bouts (at least one month, or longer) of time off is unsustainable, physiologically stressful, and will lead to a hastened end to optimal, competitive running. Scheduled periods of prolonged rest–upwards of a month consecutive, yearly–may be necessary to allow full body recovery after a long period of intense training and racing.
- Racing must be limited. The human body is only capable of running one to three hard-effort ultramarathons per year. Every bit of observational data on peak performance substantiates this point. Racing hard more than once or twice per year–as Roes and Gorman did routinely for consecutive years before their illnesses–will invariably result in performance decline, diminished training and racing capacity, and–if unremitting–health consequences.
- The lag time for unsustainability is three to four years. Many runners, including the fastest in the sport, will staunchly defend their training and racing decisions, citing personal experience and success as proof. My response, "Talk to me in two or three years". The lag time between the onset of hard training and racing and symptom onset for Roes and Gorman was three to four years. They each ran hard, unremittingly, with at least three hundred-milers per year, successfully for three years before symptoms began. Stress imbalance is not a short-term problem measured in weeks and months. It has roots that extend for years. That said, ignoring the conventional wisdom and knowledge of exercise science and simply 'going by feel' is not insurance against overtraining and is potentially dangerous.
- Elite runners training and racing unsustainably are bad for the sport. Fans of ultrarunning pore daily over elite-runner blogs, absorbing their training and racing practices. From that, they infer, "This is what you have to do to be successful". That only by training for several hours per day, year-round, and racing hard six or more times per year can one be successful. And often, it results in burnout and injury. While there are numerous examples of smart, sustainable elite racers out there, their visibility is smaller simply because they're only racing hard once or twice per year. Unsustainable training and racing sends a bad message about the core values of the sport: that only through extreme practices and regularly jeopardizing health can one be successful. This is untrue, and proliferation of these practices compromises the legitimacy of ultrarunning as a healthy, balanced sport.
- No matter who you are, the rules still apply. It is human nature to feel special. And elite competitors, accustomed to doing more and doing it faster than anyone else, frequently develop the implicit belief that the rules–those governing the physiological limitations of the human body–don't apply to them. You might be the best–as Roes and Gorman were, at their heights–but you are not special. The rules still apply. Failure to respect and comply with those rules will invariably lead to system failure.
(*Those interested in a more detailed analysis of the finite nature of running capacity, with case studies of nearly every top distance runner of the 20th century, should review chapters six and seven of Tim Noakes's Lore of Running, fourth edition, 2001).
Overtraining and the Impact on the Future of the Ultramarathon Racing
In order for ultrarunning to continue its progression as a healthy, sustainable activity for all participants and an accepted competitive sport with an ever-widening public reach, sponsor investment, and professional viability, trail ultramarathon training and racing must be sustainable. That is, its participants must be able to demonstrate that what they do–in preparation and competition–is sustainable without causing physical harm. Research activities conducted each year by Western States are part of that effort to gauge its physical effect.
On the other end, the training and racing efforts by the sport's elite must also be sustainable. The sport is filled with examples of guys who run hard and fast for a year or two, maybe three… then they disappear. For every Scott Jurek, there are 10 to 20 Brian Morrisons. Developing visibility and notoriety of the sport and its stars beyond the small sphere of ultra participants and die-hard aficionados depends on familiarity and consistency of the star performers and championship-caliber events they run. It demands consistent, high-level performance not just for a year or two, but five or 10. This level of elite performance cannot happen without sustainable training and racing practices.
In a recent Ultrarunnerpodcast on the future of ultramarathon racing, Western States Race Director Craig Thornley cited "the dilution of talent" as a primary issue facing the sport, that there are simply too many "championship" races, and the top-level talent is racing too often and, as a result, racing either slowly or failing to finish, and are not producing top-level performances worthy of public (or corporate) attention. Indeed, even the best road-marathon racers will not race more than one or two races per year, implicit to the wisdom that they cannot race to their potential more frequently than that.
I like to believe fans of trail ultras would prefer to see their favorite runners race hard only one to three times per year, racing their very best. This sort of focused energy and attention will result in performance and competition of epic proportion, galvanizing fan (and corporate) interest and support. The alternative is the frequent but diluted (or malfunctioned) performances we frequently see when the sport's best race several times a year. Race fans might enjoy an occasional multi-car pile-up, but not when all the stars limp into pit row week after week. Ultrarunning needs smart, disciplined, sustainable training and racing practices to legitimize the sport as a viable, healthy pursuit for the general public, and to promote the excitement and competitiveness of the sport to a wider audience. Without it, ultrarunning risks being relegated as an extreme, ill-fated, brow-raising, fringe activity–with a revolving door of transient talent–without the community and financial support it deserves.
Train smart, race smart. Even in a sport that is inherently extreme, less is more. Most importantly, live to run–and embrace that which you love–another day, and another year.
Call for Comments (from Meghan)
- For those of you who have experienced diagnosed or suspected overreaching or overtraining, have you identified the stressors of training, racing, and life that pushed you over the proverbial edge?
- Do conversations like this three-part overtraining series change your approach to training and racing? If so, how?
- What do you think about the effects overreaching has on our sport's sustainability? Do you think 'flash in the pan' athletes compromise our sport's long-term viability? Or, does a sport need those transcendent performances that might only originate out of periods of hyper-focused training in order to grow? (Let's not name specific names here, please. I think we can have this conversation just as well by talking about hypothetical athletes.)


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From io9:
From the ancient times until the 1800s, many women gave birth with the aid of parturition chairs, specially designed seats that allowed women to sit upright or recline while giving birth. This particular chair had padded leather rests for the mother's legs, but the parturition chairs came in a number of flavors. Some had extendable leg rests that aren't a far cry from modern gynecological stirrups. Others were much simpler, simply giving those assisting with the birth easy access to the infant while the mother remained somewhat upright.


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Bauer, Philip | |
Szogi, Ariel | |
Novak, Jeffrey | |
Vanotti, Matias |
Submitted to: Journal of Cotton Science
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal Publication Acceptance Date: 12/14/2011 Publication Date: 5/10/2012 Citation: Bauer, P.J., Szogi, A.A., Novak, J.M., Vanotti, M.B. 2012. Phosphorus recovered from swine wastewater as a fertilizer for cotton grown with conservation tillage. Journal of Cotton Science. 16:97-104. Interpretive Summary: When phosphorus is precipitated from swine wastewater in an advance manure treatment process, it is recovered as calcium phosphate. We conducted this research to determine the usefulness of this material as a fertilizer for cotton grown with conservation tillage. Our field study included evaluating the recovered calcium phosphate at two particle sizes which are commonly used by the fertilizer industry. We found that plant available phosphorus in the soil was higher than a commercial fertilizer when the material was applied as small particles (between 0.5 to 1 mm). When applied as large particles (2 to 4 mm), the plant available phosphorus in the soil was similar to a commercial fertilizer. The recovered calcium phosphate has low water solubility so does not provide early season benefits to crops like more water soluble fertilizers. These results will be used by swine growers adopting this new manure treatment technology. The results appear also to be of significance for the fertilizer industry because they suggest that this material can be used for conservation tillage crop production, especially if applied as small particles. Technical Abstract: Current technologies for recycling phosphorus (P) from animal waste through precipitation result in non-conventional fertilizer products. The objective of this research was to evaluate the use of surface broadcasting recovered calcium phosphate as a P fertilizer source for cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) when grown after winter rye (Secale cereale L.) biomass crop using conservation tillage. Treatments in this two year field study were fertilizer material [no P fertilizer, recovered P with particle size of 0.5 – 1.0 mm, recovered P with particle size of 2.0 – 4.0 mm, and diammonium phosphate (DAP)]. Fertilizer application rate was 168 kg P2O5 ha-1. Plant available P (Mehlich 1) and soil water P in the surface 10 cm were measured monthly. Crop biomass and P uptake and cotton seed P were determined. The ranking among treatments both years for plant available soil P was recovered P in 0.5 – 1.0 mm particles > recovered P in 2.0 – 4.0 mm particles = DAP > control. For soil water P, DAP was consistently higher than the control, but the two particle sizes of recovered P were similar to the control. No differences occurred in rye growth or P uptake among the two recovered P treatments and the control either year. The DAP increased rye biomass and P uptake early in the season in the second year of the study, but not in the first. Treatments did not differ for cotton P uptake or yield. When used as a fertilizer, recovered calcium phosphate should be applied in small particles. |


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Newton International Fellowships
The Newton International Fellowships enable researchers to work for two years at a UK institution with the aim of fostering long-term international collaborations.
The Scheme aims to attract the most promising early career postdoctoral researchers from overseas in the fields of natural sciences, physical sciences, medical sciences, social sciences and the humanities. The Newton International Fellowships Scheme is delivered by the British Academy, Academy of Medical Sciences, and the Royal Society.
Funded by BEIS
The aims for the Newton International Fellowships Scheme are to:
– Support the development and training of postdoctoral researchers at an early stage of their career from any country outside the UK, by providing an opportunity to work at a UK research institution for two years.
– Ensure the best postdoctoral researchers across all relevant disciplines from around the world are supported in the UK.
– Foster long-term relations between Newton International Fellows and the UK research base through the establishment of an alumni programme for former Fellows of this Scheme.
Eligibility Requirements
The applicant must:
– Have a PhD, or applicants in the final stages of their PhD will be accepted provided that the PhD will be completed (including viva) before the start date of the Fellowship. Confirmation of award of the PhD will be required before any Fellowship award is confirmed
– Applicants should have no more than 7 years of active full time postdoctoral experience at the time of application (discounting career breaks, but including teaching experience and/or time spent in industry)
– Be working outside the UK
– Not hold UK citizenship
– Be competent in oral and written English
– Have a clearly defined and mutually-beneficial research proposal agreed with a UK host researcher.
Applicants should ensure that they meet all the eligibility requirements, which are explained in the scheme notes.
Value and Duration
Newton International Fellowships last for two years. Funding consists of £24,000 per annum for subsistence costs, and up to £8,000 per annum research expenses, as well as a one-off payment of up to £3,000 for relocation expenses. Awards include a contribution to the overheads incurred, at a rate of 50% of the total award to the visiting researcher.
Applicants may also be eligible to receive follow on Alumni funding following the tenure of their Fellowship to support networking activities with UK-based researchers.
Newton Fund
Additional Fellowships will be supported through the Newton Fund, specifically for applicants from Newton Fund partner countries, subject to available funding. This initiative aims to develop long-term sustainable growth and welfare of partner countries through building research and innovation capacity, and forms part of the UK's Official Development Assistance commitment.
Application Process
Application form and scheme notes available from 23 January 2020
Applicant deadline 26 March 2020 (3pm UK time)
Results announced approximately 6 months after the closure of the round
Awards available for start date 1 October 2020 – 31 March 2021
The application form will be available on the British Academy's Flexi-Grant system from 23 January 2020
For any queries regarding the Grant call please email firstname.lastname@example.com


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Louisville Water completed the Riverbank Filtration Project at its B.E. Payne Treatment Plant in December 2010. The project was unique because Louisville Water is the first water utility in the world to combine a gravity tunnel with wells as a source for drinking water.
Riverbank Filtration is a "green supply" using the sand and gravel in the earth as a natural filter. To collect the ground water, Louisville Water designed and constructed a mile-and-half-long tunnel in bedrock, 150 feet below the ground surface and parallel to the Ohio River. Above the tunnel, four wells collect the filtered water then send the water to the tunnel. An above ground pump station pulls the water to the surface to the treatment plant. Louisville Water can pump up to 70 million gallons of water a day with the riverbank filtration project.
Because the water is naturally filtered, it requires less treatment. The process eliminates taste and odor issues, provides an additional barrier for pathogen removal and creates a stable water temperature of around 55-degrees, resulting in fewer main breaks in the distribution system.
The American Society of Civil Engineers honored Louisville Water Company with its 2011 "Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement Award" for its Riverbank Filtration Project. The engineering society presented the award to Louisville Water and its engineering consultant Jordan, Jones & Goulding during a ceremony in Washington, D.C. on March 31, 2011.
Established in 1960, the award honors projects that best illustrate superior civil engineering skills and represent a significant contribution to civil engineering progress and society. The riverbank filtration project was one of five engineering feats nominated. The other finalists included: the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the Incheon Bridge Project in the Republic of Korea, the Taum Sauk Upper Reservoir Rebuild Project in Annapolis, Missouri and the Washington Dulles International Airport Main Terminal Station, Washington, D.C.
"Louisville Water has a 150-year history of innovation that advances the science of drinking water," said Greg Heitzman, President and CEO of Louisville Water. "This honor is another example of our commitment to providing high-quality, safe drinking water. I'm honored to accept this award on behalf of our employees."
This is the second time the American Society of Civil Engineers has honored Louisville Water. The historic Louisville Water Tower is listed as a Civil Engineering Landmark.


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(Cross-posted from Benzinga.com)
Reading the FHFA complaints against many of the world's largest banks is a fascinating and troubling process for anyone that understands "accounting control fraud." The FHFA, a federal regulatory agency, sued in its capacity as conservator for Fannie and Freddie. Its complaints are primarily based on fraud. The FHFA alleges that the fraud came from the top, i.e., it alleges that many of the world's largest banks were control frauds and that they committed hundreds of thousands of fraudulent acts. The FHFA complaints emphasize that other governmental investigations have repeatedly confirmed that the defendant banks were engaged in endemic fraud. The failure of the Department of Justice to convict any senior official of a major bank, and the almost total failure to indict any senior official of a major bank has moved from scandal to farce.


text: Before any tooth extraction, anesthesia will be given to the patient by the dentist to numb the area. The anesthesia usually lasts for a few hours, depending on what type of anesthesia the patient is given. Because of this, it is important for the patient to avoid hot food because the patient will not feel the burn if the food is too hot. For the same reason, the patient is also not allowed to take hard, chewy food, because the patient will not realize it even when he/she accidentally bites on his/her own lips or other soft tissues. Continue reading


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Uranus' Smog
Besides methane, Uranus' atmosphere contains even more complex molecules such as ethane gas. (These gases are similar to the exhaust gases that come out of cars on earth).These molecules form layers of smog over the clouds of Uranus, as shown in the picture.
Last modified May 7, 2009 by Randy Russell.


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Series: IFICS #1
Genres: Romance, Science Fiction
Pages: 286
Donate Body to Science. Check.
When seventeen-year-old Kaitlyn checked the box, she never suspected she'd have her life–and her body–stolen from her. She awakens one day in a secret laboratory to discover that her body is now half-robot and is forced to hide her own secret: that she still has human emotions and a human mind. If the scientists who made her find out, they'll erase what remains of who she was.
Kaitlyn finds an unlikely ally in Lucas, a handsome, brilliant scientist who can't get over the guilt he feels knowing she was once a vibrant, beautiful young woman. He never expected a science project to affect him the way she does. As he tries to help her rediscover her past, he finds himself falling for the brave girl struggling to find her place and acceptance between the human and computer worlds.


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$719.00 Sale:$683.05
Model #2-195-TB
Kelford Mechanical Camshaft Set 270 270 shim over bucket Turbo Toyota Celica GTS 3SGE 90-93
Kelford Cams have been producing high quality racing camshafts since 1968 but it is only in the last seven years that we have been operating with ultra modern design systems and cnc grinding machinery. Kelfords new racing camshafts are among the best available anywhere in the world and are found in many record breaking race engines in all forms of motorsport, whether it be professional or amateur racing, they have the will to win and they will do their best to help customers win.
3S-GTE Turbo serious street performance, turbo and ecu upgrade required.
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Please select below.
Inlet Duration @ 0.30mm: 270
Exhaust Duration @ 0.30mm: 270
Inlet Duration @ 1.00mm: 232
Exhaust Duration @ 1.00mm: 232
Inlet Valve Lift @ 1 to 1: 9.60mm
Exhaust Valve Lift @ 1 to 1: 9.60mm
Inlet Centerline @ Full Lift: 108
Exhaust Centerline @ Full Lift: 116
Note: Picture is for representation only. Actual product may vary.
Import Notes:
WARNING: Cancer and Reproductive Harm
Make Vehicle | Model | Submodel | Year | Engine | Notes |
1990-1993 Toyota Celica |
Celica | 1990-1993 |
Kelford is a company that was founded in 1968. The company specializes in creating high-performance camshafts for a variety of engine applications. For years, they have provided enthusiasts the chance to have a camshaft that would provide optimum performance and give them the horsepower gain they are searching for. Today, they have turned their small company into a global brand that is trusted by many professional tuners and racers alike.
Kelford is steadily making a name for itself when it comes to manufacturing high-performance camshafts. By continuously investing in their research and development, they are able to design products that are better, if not at par with some of the mainstream brands in the market today.
The company is able to make top quality products by understanding what their customer really needs. Using their experience, knowledge, and understanding of manufacturing, they are able to create products that meet their customer expectations. They use state of the art machinery in order to achieve precision and accurate cuts which is critical when it comes to these engine components.
If you want a camshaft manufacturing company that understands what it takes to improve your engine performance, then Kelford is the brand for you. With over 50 years of experience when it comes to building camshafts, you know they are a brand that you can trust. Visit Vivid Racing and check out their list of products that would fit your specific requirement.


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See you in Metz
Metz: City of Lights, Heritage and Gardens
Metz offers strolls through its many gardens in the heart of the city and along the ramparts. This famous french city reveals many treasures: one of the tallest cathedrals in the gothic world, a mixed heritage of history, contemporary art and the Centre Pompidou which has brough charm and excitement since May 2010 to Metz.
In Metz, don't miss
- St Steven's Cathedral: built from 1220 to 1520, it's actually the union of two churches. At 42 meters, the nave is one of the tallest among gothic churches in Europe. Metz' cathedral is nicknamed "God's Lantern" because of its stained-glass windows from the 13th to the 20th century, by Hermann of Munster, Thiébault of Lixheim, Valentin Bousch, Jacques Villon and Marc Chagall, in total covering a surface area of 6500 m².
- The Museum La Cour d'Or: the Cour d'Or Museum is named after the palace of the Austrasian kings which was located in Metz. The Gallo-Roman archaeological collection is one of the most important in France: ancient baths to be seen in place, the column from Merten, Mithra's Altar etc. This museum is a maze of rooms and passageways which take you to the Chèvremont corn granary (15th century), to the painted ceilings of Voué (13th century) and to the stone balustrade from the church St-Pierre-aux Nonnains, which is known as one of the most beautiful set of Merovingian sculptures in Europe (7th century).
- The Centre Pompidou-Metz: the first decentralised site of a museum in France, the Centre Pompidou Metz is a masterpiece of contemporary architecture. Designed by the Franco-Japanese duo: Jean de Gatines and Shigeru Ban, the building offers 3 exhibition galleries covered by a daring roof inspired by a Chinese hat. The spire at 77 metres refers to the year 1977, the opening year of the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The Centre Pompidou Metz presents modern and contemporary art through its temporary exhibitions.
- The German's Gateway and the ramparts: the German's Gateway, a miniature castle standing astride the river Seille, is one of the jewels of the remains of the city's medieval ramparts. The walls stretched 7 km around the city, had 18 gateways and were protected by 38 towers.
- The Arsenal: the Arsenal, renovated by Ricardo Bofill, is home to one of the most beautiful concert halls in Europe, with exceptional acoustics and sumptuously decorated in marquetry of beech and sycamore. It is host to the Lorraine National Orchestra and prestigious temporary exhibitions.
- The Imperial Quarter: built from 1902, the Imperial Quarter is a remarkable example of early 20th century German town planning. Around the imposing central station developed a real encyclopaedia of historical and new styles: the Post Office, square Mondon, the luxurious villas on avenue Foch that reinterpret Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styles, alongside audacious Art Deco or Jugendstil works. Conceived as an exceptional quarter, and with the quality of its construction, the Imperial Quarter is applying to be included on the UNESCO list of World Heritage s-Sites.
- The Squares: in the heart of Metz the renovated squares like place de Chambre (nicknamed the gourmand square of Metz), place d'Armes (18th century), the medieval square St Louis, and Place de la République offer space and conviviality. The squares host a number of events throughout the year, transforming them into lively meeting places.
The Gardens
34 km of walks along the banks of the Moselle and Seille rivers, and 5 golf clubs in a radius of 25 km, Metz, with its 37 m² of green space per habitant, prides itself on its parks and gardens. The leisure marina, in the heart of the city has been raising the Pavillion Bleu flag since 2007. Right next to the Plan d'Eau, it is the starting point for many walks, loved by Messins and tourists alike.
Metz Grand Prix National Lumière des Arts de Rue: as night falls, Metz metamorphoses into a diva of light under the beam of more than 13,000 spotlights. The Cathedral becomes "God's Lantern", the Temple Neuf stands out between the banks of the Moselle river, the medieval city, the squares with their buildings of golden Jaumont limestone and the Imperial Quarter amaze with the glow of their beauty.
Touristic and gourmand breaks: the flavours that had to be invented
If the Mirabelle plum is still the unchallenged gastronomic emblem of Lorraine, other local specialities should be mentioned and above all tasted. Here are some examples that even talking about gives you a gargantuan appetite:
- Part of Lorraine's traditions, discover the Mirabelle schnapps and the AOC Moselle wines.
- The pâtés Lorraine's marinated minced pork in a puff pastry envelope.
- Invented in the 16th century, la quiche Lorraine is known worldwide.
- The Paris-Metz: a small cake in acid colours composed of macaroons filled with Arlequin mousse topped with raspberries.
- On the sweet side, fruit tarts, batter pudding, meringues and specialities based on the Mirabelle.
- Without forgetting the cured meats and charcuterie (smoked Lorrain etc.).
Try these at the "Table de Rabelais" partners, the signature of the gastronomic "art de vivre" in Metz. Restaurateurs, caterers and producers are ready to share their know-how.
What's On: calendar
- Art Metz: contemporary art fair in the Grand Region.
- Eté du livre: book and literature festival.
- L'Art dans les jardins (July to September): contemporary art exposed in the town's parks and gardens throughout the summer.
- Metz en fête:program of free events, concerts, performances etc. in the summer months.
- Metz Beach:a sandy beach installed at the Plan d'Eau to celebrate the summer.
- Fêtes de la Mirabelle: usually after the 15th August, street performances, concerts, dances, Mirabelle market, fireworks displays, parade, and the election of Miss Mirabelle.
- Nuit Blanche: end of September/beginning of October, contemporary art festival, an artistic kaleidoscope.
- Saint Nicolas and the Christmas markets during Advent (December).
Visit with a Metz City Pass
- a Metz Passport/Metz city Pass (per adult) includes: 1 entrance to the Cour d'Or Museum, 1 entrance to the Centre Pompidou Metz, 1 audio guide for the city centre, plus other offers for reductions on leisure, food tasting etc.
- (6-12 years old) the Metz Passport/City Pass enfant is aimed at families, gifts (colouring pencils, discovery circuit, post cards), reductions in certain shops, leisure activities, gastronomy.
On sale at Metz Tourist Office, at certain hotels/gites etc. and at the Centre Pompidou-Metz (Metz Passport / City Pass adult) .
How to get to Metz
- SNCF /TGV train station: 82 min from Paris.
- Metz-Nancy-Lorraine airport: 30 min from City Centre
- Luxembourg Airport: 60 km from Metz
- Motorway: A4, A31: 330 km from Paris
Office de Tourisme de Metz
2, place d'Armes
F-57007 Metz Cedex 1 Tel: 0033 (0)3 87 55 53 76
Fax: 0033 (0)3 87 36 59 43


text:
Vein Dong Duty Free & Travel Address - 357 - 361 Victoria St, Richmond
About Vein Dong Duty Free & Travel
Vein Dong Duty Free & Travel
357 - 361 Victoria St , Richmond Melbourne, VIC, 3121 Australia P:03XXXX XXXX This listing is under a verification process.
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Please contact us if you discover an error.


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The Contemporary Condition. Notes on the Type, Time, Letters & Spirits
Three interconnected palimpsest essays recount (1) the backstory of a "meta" font recently updated by Dexter Sinister and used to typeset the Contemporary Condition book series, (2) a broad history of the rationalization of letterforms that considers the same typeface from "a higher point of disinterest," and (3) a pending proposal for a sundial designed to operate in parallel physical and digital realms. Along the way they contemplate the ambiguous nature of our shared idea of *time* itself. [publisher's note.]
This book is Vol. 6 in The Contemporary Condition series, edited by Geoff Cox and Jacob Lund, co-published with Aarhus University and ARoS Art Museum.
Published by Sternberg Press, 2017
Design by Dexter Sinister
Graphic Design / Media Studies / Essays


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If he were honest, Thag would say that his affair with the nubile Vunga, the half-daughter of the shaman, could not last forever.
Not only was she was at least ten years younger, but eventually the Thunka Grunka clan would demand that he and Onga — his actual mate — start warming sleeping furs together lest the delicate sexual balance of the cave be upset.
He did NOT anticipate that the clan would adopt a knew beau for Vunga, but then again, her half-father, that foreskin with a forehead, Weasel-Scratch-Face-Brother was in a position to smooth the way for a new hunter to join the clan, and he did.
Not that Thag was upset with Fonzag himself. Though he was quite short, he was a competent hunter; the rest of the hunting party got along with him too, though he occasionally worried them with the way he would celebrate a hunting victory, by turning his thumbs upward and issuing his trademark cry: "heyyyyyy!" And apart from this quirk, Fonzag's only other failing (as far as Thag could tell) was an affectation he had with his hair, which he wore in a strange fashion.
The diminutive Fonzag liked to shave the sides of his head, and he made the remaining hair stick up like the spikes of a porcupine by using some kind of noxious combination of tree resin and animal fat. After a few hours in the sun, it gave off quite the stench, but so far it hadn't scared off any prey.
On the contrary, it had captured the delectable, if fickle, attentions of Vunga, who had been sharing slappies with Thag because she enjoyed his cave art. But no more, now that she had Fonzag's bristly locks to capture her attention.
Briefly, Thag thought about styling his hair the same way, but then he noticed the wayward look in Blodja's eye. It seemed that she too was an "admirer" of cave art.
The fact that she was Weasel-Scratch-Face-Brother's younger sister had no impact on Thag asking her for a "walk" in the woods to discuss his work. Oh no, none at all.


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Dodgers at Pirates, 4:05 p.m.
Jamey Carroll, SS
Aaron Miles, 2B
Andre Ethier, RF
Matt Kemp, CF
Juan Uribe, 3B
James Loney, 1B
Jerry Sands, LF
Rod Barajas, C
Chad Billingsley, P
The trade of Milton Bradley (and Antonio Perez) for Andre Ethier has often been cited as a great, maybe even the greatest, achievement by Ned Colletti as a Dodger general manager. What was impressive about the yield is that everyone knew that Colletti was under orders from up top (with the support of much of the Dodger fanbase, it should be said) to unload Bradley, after the outfielder reached the point of no return in his tumultuous two years with the Dodgers. It was the kind of trade that could easily have netted a prospect that would never sniff the majors.
The news comes up again because Bradley, who has generated a .649 OPS and lots of angst in his two seasons with Seattle, has been designated for assignment by the Mariners, possibly signaling the end of his major-league career.
My purpose is not to talk about Bradley, who has been discussed here at great length, but just point out how rare it has been that Colletti has ever tried to repeat the method of this trade — exchanging a veteran in his 20s, at or near his peak value, for prospects that could contribute down the road. (Bradley was 27 and coming off a .835 OPS season when Colletti traded him for Ethier in December 2005.)
Looking quickly at the Dodgers' transaction logs on Baseball-Reference.com, I can't find one similar deal in the Colletti era. The closest might be the trade of Juan Pierre for John Ely and Jon Link before the 2010 season, but Pierre was already 32 and into his decline phase when the trade occurred. If you want to make a case to include this, I won't stop you, but I'm not sure it qualifies.
It might come as no surprise that a team that regularly contends for the playoffs, like the Dodgers have under Colletti, has arguably not made a single boffo trade for a highly regarded prospect — even one who could have as much near-term impact as Ethier, who was in the majors months after the trade. But it's interesting. We used to wonder whether Colletti would use any of the Dodgers' exciting young players to get a proven veteran — will he ever again use a proven veteran to get any exciting young players? It did work for him before.
* * *
Bud Selig spoke to ESPN 1050 AM radio in New York about the Dodgers today:
... Selig was asked why he approved the deal that sold the Dodgers to McCourt in 2004 in the first place. Ironically, Fox had held controlling interest of the club beforehand.
"I'll tell you what happened. There's a lot of history here, which a lot of people don't seem to understand," Selig said. "There were two other bidders. Fox was anxious to get rid of the team. They were all really anxious. I'll tell you what happened. There were a couple of groups: A group led by Dave Checketts and another group. And for whatever reason, they weren't around at the end, so Fox sold the club to the McCourts and presented them to us. So this idea that we ought to examine ourselves, there was nobody else. We have a long relationship with Fox. There were no other bidders." ...
Selig said that MLB has added former Pittsburgh Pirates COO Richard Freeman to its team monitoring the Dodgers.
* * *
Dodger minor-leaguer Dee Gordon can be seen scoring from first base with Roadrunner speed on a sacrifice bunt and an error, in this video posted by Mike Petriello of Mike Scioscia's Tragic Illness. Albuquerque Isotopes play-by-play man Robert Portnoy has the call.
* * *
From the In Case You Missed It file: the torpedoes have been damned, and back-to-back outings for Hong-Chih Kuo have been approved. Hope for the best ...


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A Fresno artist has filed a lawsuit against state officials accusing them of violating his free speech by keeping his painting out of The Big Fresno Fair.
The Fresno Bee reports that Timothy Desmond has filed a lawsuit challenging Gov. Jerry Brown's September 2014 ban on the Confederate flag being displayed on state property.
The 2014 law says the Battle Flag of the Confederacy or any similar image cannot be sold or displayed on state property unless the image appears in a medium that serves an educational or historical purpose.
Desmond created a painting that depicts Confederate soldiers fighting in the 1864 siege of Atlanta. The Big Fresno Fair banned the painting because the Confederate flag is in the painting.
Desmond argues the law should not apply to privately created art displayed at state-run fairs.


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